Improvement in gymnastic apparatus



UNITED STATES PATENT Orino PETER GRAHAM, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GYMNASTIC APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,836, datedSeptember 5, 1876; application filed April 19, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER GRAHAM, ofPhiladelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gymnastic Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specilication, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

The invention relates to an improved gymn'astic apparatus; and consistsin the devices hereinafter specificallyY described, the object being toafford a means of obtaining healthful exercise.

Figure l is a side elevation of a device embodying the elements of theinvention. Fig. 2 is a view of the wheel. Fig. 3 is a front view ofthebody.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a pair of bars, properlyspaced and sustained at suitable intervals by the legs or standards B.At the rear end of the bars-A is secured the box or body l), containingthe seat E, and having below, and in front thereof, an elasticfoot-rest, which consists of the tongued brace-board F, operatinghorizontally and parallel with the bars A in the guide-slots t in thecleats H, and ofthe inclined foot-rest I, secured to its rear edge. Thisfoot-rest is provided with the sill M, and depends downward andrearward, having secured directly to it one end of the strips b, theother being secured at a suitable point nearer the rear end ofthe body,the object being to give elasticity to the foot-rest, which by thesemeans is held in contact with the feet, allowing the limbs vto beextended when the cords are wound up,

as hereinafter described, and also pressing the limbs back to theirinitial positionwhen the tension of the cords is relaxed, thuscommunicating a heathful movement to the lower portion ofthe body.

The box D may be dispensed with, if desired, a seat, suitably raised,being employed,

and the brace-board mounted in properly-constructed standards.

Near the opposite or front end ofthe bars Athe wheelP is mounted inbearings, and has constructed on its axles L the spools t', about whichis secured the cord N, having on its end an elastic medium, such as acoiled spring or a strand of india-rubber, which is lettered m, and maybe connected with a handle, bar, or other suitable means of exertingtension. At regular intervals in the outer rim or periphery of the wheelare provided vthe apertures d, by means of which the weights e areremovably attached to the wheel by riveting, bolting, or otherwise, togive additional 'the cord is wound up in the opposite direction, themomentum of the wheel extending the arms of the operator, and thebrace-board being pushed forward when the cord is being drawn from thespools, the legs are likewise extended. A second movement of the handstoward the body reverses the motion of the wheel, and at the same timegives it more momentum.

It is obvious that the body is well exercised,

since every successive movement of the cord y will produce acorresponding extension of the arms and legs; and it is further obviousthat unless the elastic medium was employed, the .operator would beforced to loosen his grasp or be dragged from the seat, but by means ofthe elastic material the tension is gradually Vexerted and overcome.

I claiml. In a gymuastic apparatus, the wheel P, provided with removableweights, arranged to be secured upon or adjacent to its periphery,substantially as expressed.

2. In a gymnastic apparatus, the foot-rest I, arranged to slide in thecleats H, and provided with the elastic strips b, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a gymnastic apparatus, the combination of the seat E, foot-rest I,Wheel P, and cords N, substantially as specified..

4. Ina gymnastic apparatus, the wheel P, mounted upon an axle providedwith spools or receptacles to receive the cords N, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in gymnasticapparatus as above described, I havel hereunto set my hand this 17 thday of April, 187 6.-

PETER. GRAHAM.

Witnesses:

G. GURNEY PoULToN, J. B. ENGLIsH.

